As far as first-time arranging tips, I’d advise against taking the basses too low. Even if they have a solid low E, the chords will ring better with the basses up the octave, and they’ll sing better, too! The same goes for the low F and frequently the low G as well. If you’re stuck […]
A reader wrote in requesting some pointers on arranging for his high school a cappella group, and I thought I’d post a few here: advice for writing your FIRST arrangement. These tips do not necessarily apply to ALL arrangements and are not general rules, but are good ways to make sure nothing goes too haywire […]
FAQ Style, everyone’s favorite! How do I get started? Figure out the key, time signature, and how many staves you want. Listen to the general structure of the song so you get a feel for the arc of the entire song, as well as the important themes. Jot that down, be you at a keyboard […]
I’ve stumbled across a really excellent performance by a spirited a cappella group with an arrangement that really caught my eye. Of all the others of this song I could find (save the Stereotypes), this is the only one that was particularly entertaining: If you can see this, then you might need a Flash Player […]
If history is any indicator, a great many new aspiring arrangers are members of newer groups with fewer members than the large swaggering a cappella groups that resemble a small construction team on a government contract, only slower-moving. In fact, I would wager there’s a reasonable chance that you personally are a member of one […]
While arranging music for any a cappella group requires musical sensibility–not necessarily training, but sensibility–arranging music for an all-female group requires particular dexterity. It is a socially challenging activity, especially at an 18% Greek liberal arts school when you’re asking hot, cool girls to sing nonsense syllables. More often than not, collegiate a cappella groups […]
A cappella arrangers for All-Female Groups: Here are a few tips and ideas to try on that might just make all the difference for your next arrangement.
Men’s choirs and mixed choirs have something of a built-in advantage to women’s singing groups — a group of baritones with swallowed tones and an affinity for Barry White known as “basses.” They happily crank away at low notes down to an A or a G, and then start groaning like wounded wildebeest as they […]
SmarterMusic is growing in fits and starts, and the SmarterGuide to A Cappella Arranging is off to a particularly fitting start! Two consecutive music directors of the UNC Achordants (and chief arrangers) are currently collaborating in various backrooms of the halls of academia to bring you the most comprehensive and in-depth guide available on the […]
Portamental is dedicated to the exploration of music in all its forms and the promotion of musical understanding for all. Contributors include:
Pianist, instrumentalist, vocalist, arranger, molecular biologist and music theorist. Former Music Director of the Achordants. For arranging services, see Broze Brothers Music; for performing and lessons, see Yuri Broze.com.
Accomplished guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and photographer.
Vocalist, actor, arranger, and grammar enthusiast extraordinaire.
Vocalist, arranger, Guitar Hero virtuoso, RARB reviewer.
Student of music and music education; vocalist, beatboxer, and arranger.
Composer, arranger, double bassist, writer, and didgeridoo builder. Music Director of Brandeis University's Rather Be Giraffes. For arrangement and other sundry music services, check out MusicaRanger.
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